Test your basic knowledge |

Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






2. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






3. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






4. One of the two modes of the tonal system. Music written in major keys have a positive affirming character.






5. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






6. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






7. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






8. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






9. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






10. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






11. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






12. A string of chords played in succession.






13. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






14. System of notes or tones based on and named after the key note.






15. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






16. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






17. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






18. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






19. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






20. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






21. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






22. A group singing in unison.






23. In sheet music - an instruction to repeat the beginning of the piece before stopping on the final chord.






24. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






25. A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords - the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.






26. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






27. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






28. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






29. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






30. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






31. The highest female voice.






32. A sequence of songs - perhaps on a single theme - or with texts by one poet - or having continuos narrative.






33. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






34. Suite of Baroque dances.






35. A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase - either in the middle or the end of a composition.






36. A quick - improvisational - spirited piece of music.






37. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






38. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






39. Pertaining to the fugue - the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart.






40. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






41. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






42. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






43. The distance in pitch between two notes.






44. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






45. Suite of Baroque dances.






46. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






47. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






48. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






49. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






50. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.